Why do you want a fitness tracker? This is the first question I ask any time I’m asked to recommend a device.

The number-one rule of wearable tech is that it has to be something you actually want to wear. So instead of molding yourself to a device, it’s better to pick something that isn’t too hard to slot into the life you already lead. The tech specs will fall into place once you’re honest with yourself about who you are and where you’re currently at. You can always revisit your choice once you’ve leveled up, but buying for who you want to be someday isn’t helpful.

Are you a couch potato who wants to hit 10,000 steps a day? Are you a gym rat who prioritizes lifting heavy? Do you have absolutely no idea, but have a vague vision of six-pack abs and know you have an Android phone? There are a zillion permutations, but in my experience, people typically fall into a handful of categories.

Here’s what I recommend for each.

It’s nigh impossible to escape the barrage of health metrics and scores these days. But if it’s possible, you’d like to. All you really want is credit for the activity you do and some insight into how your sleep is, screw the bells and whistles. Also, you’d be caught dead wearing a hockey-sized puck on your arm. If that’s you, I’d recommend a Fitbit Charge 6 or an Oura Ring 4. Both work regardless of what phone you have and are good at getting you the basics with minimal overwhelm.

The Oura Ring is the more stylish of the two. It’s the better option if you’d prefer to keep your wrist free or would rather notifications stay on your phone. I vouch for shelling out a smidge extra for the ceramic version. (In my years of testing, I find the metal finishes scratch easily. Whatever you do, skip rose gold. It doesn’t hold up well.) It’s a little more annoying to get, and I don’t advise skipping the sizing kit. Your fingers will swell and shrink depending on the weather, so you want to see how a ring size fits over 24 hours. I’d also keep this in mind if you plan on losing a significant amount of weight. I hate that it comes with a $6 monthly subscription, but it’s a good product, and as far as wearable subscriptions go, it’s among the most affordable.

Go for the Fitbit Charge 6 if you’d like to see the time or stats while exercising. This is also the pick if you want a few notifications or don’t want to rely on your phone quite as much. It’s much easier to leave your phone in a gym locker with a Charge 6 and lift weights — you don’t want to do that with a smart ring. Oura is the more premium feeling of the two, but there are plenty of ways to dress up a Charge 6 with third-party straps. None of the metrics are behind a paywall anymore, though if you want access to Google’s experimental AI coach, that’ll set you back $10 a month or $80 a year.

Honorable mentions: I dig Withings’ hybrid smartwatches, which are a great blend of simple tracking and style. The new Pebble watches also feel right for those yearning for 2015-era simplicity.

This type of person needs a bit more functionality from their fitness tracker. It’s about feeling alright leaving your phone behind because cellular and emergency calling are options. When you’re not being active, it’d be nice to easily set timers, check a weather widget, unlock your laptop, or perhaps quickly view the feed from your doorbell camera. In that case, a smartwatch is the way to go.

This is when your phone matters. If you’ve got an iPhone, I’ll point you to the Apple Watch SE 3. Android users, may I interest you in a Google Pixel Watch 4?

I recommend the $249 SE 3 because it offers the best bang for your buck feature-wise of all the new Apple Watches. If you want the bigger screen and advanced health features like EKGs, look for a refurbished Series 10 in a nicer material. (The Series 11 is fiiiiine, but the difference from the Series 10 is negligible and you might as well save a lil extra.) However, I don’t recommend the Apple Watch Ultra 3 for most people unless that’s the look you’re going for, you work out a lot, and you want the biggest battery / screen possible.

Now for Android. Arguably, if you have a Samsung phone, you could go for the Galaxy Watch 8. But I was more impressed by the Pixel Watch 4’s approach to repairability, feature updates, and AI implementation. As a caveat, I’m not a fan of AI fitness and health features, but of the ones I’ve tested so far, Google’s is among the best.

Honorable mentions: For Android users who want superior battery life, check out the OnePlus Watch 3.

Hi, friends. How’s your Whoop band or eight-year-old Garmin holding up? I’m guessing you already know what you want to buy and don’t really need me to list out the pros and cons of a Garmin, Coros, Polar, Whoop, or one of the Ultra smartwatches. Game recognizes game, and yeah, I agree, the price increase starting with the Garmin Fenix 8 is banana-balls bonkers.

You don’t really need my opinion here, especially since I suspect a good chunk of you keep DC Rainmaker bookmarked. (He’s great! I’m also a big fan.) Just in case, here are some of my thoughts on some of the products and brands in this space.